The story

Tropical Storm Noel weakened Tuesday over most of Cuba after lashing the island's northern coast, but heavy rains continued to deluge the Dominican Republic, Haiti and portions of the Bahamas, forecasters said.

Gen. Luis Luna Paulino, director of civil defense for the Dominican Republic, said 16 people have died there and 16 are missing.

Outlying bands of the storm were expected to reach the southeast edge of Florida on Wednesday night or Thursday morning, before veering from the U.S. coast. Read full article »